Why do I feel it necessary always to compare myself to others. I believe it goes back to when I was in grade school inWisconsin. Because our family did not have enough money I could not wear the “in clothes” like the others’ could. This made me feel inferior to them. And, to a certain extent, I still feel that way and thought the other day I would not go to the School’s Anniversary celebration this Fall. I thought I would only be setting myself up for a hurt.

When will I finally be able not to care what those people think of me? When will I be able to feel good about myself and what I have done with my life? When can I rejoice simply in God my Savior. Can I take Mary’s Magnificat as my own. How does that go again?

Luke 1:46-55 (ESV)
And Mary said,
“My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.
For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
for he who is mighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.
And his mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;
he has brought down the mighty from their thrones
and exalted those of humble estate;
he has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent empty away.
He has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
as he spoke to our fathers,
to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”

Lord, our God, I do not desire to think myself better than others, I know my faults and errors. And I do not desire to be as good as everyone else, for all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. And I do not desire to be worse than others, it is not how my mother taught me to live. I desire to be loved and accepted by You. You are the one who created me. You are the one to whom I must give account of my life. You love me with a love far greater than any human could love. When I look at what the Only Begotten Son did at Calvary, even forgiving, I have to say I want that love. I need that love. I am overwhelmingly blessed by that love.

Help me to keep these thoughts in my head in some way each and every day when I come to You to find out who I am.